Comparable sales, or same-store sales, are a critical indicator of a retailer's health and growth prospects. A decline in this metric often leads to negative investor sentiment as it suggests a decrease in consumer demand or competitive challenges. For Academy Sports, a 3.6% decline in Q4 comparable sales could signal underlying issues that might affect its stock price negatively in the short term. Investors often react to such news by adjusting their positions, which can lead to a decrease in stock price.